Winter Wonderland || Planning for Spring

In eastern Virginia, we don't really get much snow.  When we do get it, schools close, businesses shut down,and everyone makes their crazy journey home through the treacherous blizzard like conditions that we know as 1-3 inches of snow...  

If the hubby were in town, he would be shaking his head in disappointment   I can hear it in my head now,  "You call this snow?"  

Even though its a little dusting, seeing our house covered in white made me realize that we have a lot to do before  I'm satisfied with our space.  The white siding is kinda drab, and I'm ready for some color.  With spring coming, the biggie is our back yard.

These days, I wish I had more paid attention when Dad was planning out our yard (but don't tell him that).  When we bought our house, we struggled with the idea of what to do with the back yard.  I don't think the previous owners did anything to the ground, and now it's just a massive area of flat dirt.

For now, I brainstorm and plan for what I can do in the spring.  I'm thinking areas of mulch, areas of grass, and of course the fire pit.  Maybe a hammock too?

One thing I would like to do is make a rain barrel.  This could be really great for irrigating the yard and especially the garden beds.  You can connect a series of soaker hoses to the rain barrel and help distribute the water that you've collected!

Better Homes and Gardens has a fantastic step-by-step article on rain barrels here.